New Year’s food traditions, especially if you were raised in the South, mean something to folks; we’ve been writing about them for years, including this post from a few years back –
…That meant there was some form of pork on the table (pigs root forward symbolizing progress, and a rich pork meal signified wealth and prosperity in the old days) – typically a ham or thick-cut chops, the revered black eye peas (you’ve heard the story of ‘cowpeas’ saving the South’s starving families as the North stormed through) and some form of greens (symbolic of economic fortune).
There are other foods thought to stack the tables of good fortune in your favor (round or ring shaped cakes for instance), but the Southern table wouldn’t have been complete without a golden round of cornbread (like this cast iron skillet cornbread) hot out of the oven…
We’re fixing these Spicy Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Tenderloins this year, accompanied by the Hot Damn Corn Muffins linked above, and a big dish of Hoppin’ John just for grins (and insurance on another good year). These are a perfect, as well as quick and easy, way to prepare tenderloins and start your New Year off right (though these are in our regular dinner rotation of late…).
2 pork tenderloins, 1.5-2 lb., trimmed
2-3 tbsp EVOORub
1 generous tbsp kosher salt
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp good chili powder
1 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp fresh ground pepper
1 scant tsp ground cinnamonGlaze
1 and 1/2 cups brown sugar
3-4 tbsp minced fresh garlic (or more)
2-3 tbsp Sriracha sauce (can substitute your favorite sauce here, but you need some heat)
Combine the rub ingredients, mix well, then rub/massage into the pork tenderloins. Set aside.
Combine the glaze ingredients and mix well.
Preheat the oven to 350; preheat a cast-iron (or other overproof skillet) over medium-high heat, with the EVOO, until hot.
Now brown the rubbed tenderloins for 4-5 minutes, turning to sear all sides. Finally, spread the glaze mixture over the browned tenderloins, throw them in the oven, and bake for 20-22 minutes.
Pull from the oven, spoon the pan glaze over the tenderloins, then cover and rest for at least 5 minutes. Now slice, and serve hot drizzled with more glaze.
Your New Year is looking better already. Enjoy.
